WHAT LEARNING ACTIVITIES DO DISCUSSION BOARDS SUPPORT

Directed Discussions
Directed discussions invite students to discuss a specific topic or item: textbook chapter, novel, web site, case study. Directed discussions are usually moderated closely by the instructor. While it is important for students to think and respond freely with their own impressions, the instructor or moderator guides and leads the discussion to cover a range of issues deemed appropriate (e.g., "you've made a good point here, but consider this factor as well..."). In directed discussions, the instructor typically throws-out a question to kick-off the discussion. Students respond to the instructor's question, and may begin to ask their own questions as well.

Utah State provides a sample of moderating a directed discussion:
http://online.usu.edu/openhouse/greatest/greatesthits.html

This Cultural Ecology sample illustrates an instructor asking his students to describe some issue facing their town. The issue described must relate to course readings.
http://wind.cc.whecn.edu/~gnelson/cultecol/town.htm